Willie Irvine column: Dyche can easily bolster his Burnley squad

EVERYONE was astounded when, on the eve of the season, Charlie Austin was sold to QPR to balance Burnley’s books.

He was tipped for a return to Turf Moor if QPR hadn’t clinched promotion to the Premier League. Now they have, that won’t happen – even if there was a chance it was on the cards in the first place.

But I can see why the rumours were circulated.

It’s hard to see Sam Vokes making an appearance until Christmastime, such was the severity of his knee injury, so a move for Austin would seem a good one to address the need for a big fella up front to work with Danny Ings and to provide competition for Ashley Barnes.

Nicklas Bendtner is another candidate who has been mentioned following his release from Arsenal, although he has also been mentioned in connection with Hull and is said to be keeping his options open.

He hasn’t really done much for the Gunners, but if there was a chance Sean Dyche could get him then I think he could transform him into a force to be reckoned with, just like he turned Danny Ings and Sam Vokes into one of the most feared strike partnerships.

An old saying from my day is that you don’t become a bad player overnight and I feel that’s the case with Bendtner. It just needs to be coaxed out of him.

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That’s a strength of the Burnley manager’s – his man-management.

It’s second to none and because of that he has generated a very happy squad and, in turn, success for the Clarets.

Although wages alone would put Bendtner out of reach, we are in a very healthy position financially and should have no problems in signing more realistic targets to bolster our squad for the task of competing in the Premier League for the coming season.

The manager has said he wants to keep Chris Baird and that would be a good signing – a Northern Ireland international with plenty of experience at the top level.

He is a versatile player too and would slot back in immediately with the rest of the squad after making an impact on his short-term deal.

I know the former Fulham defender lives and is settled in the south, but I went down south during my career and when I got the chance to return to the north of England I jumped at it, because Lancastrians are good people and always make you feel welcome.

They’ve always been nice to this Irishman anyway.

* I know none of us can wait for Premier League football to return to Turf Moor, but there is one person who is especially excited to see Burnley back in the top flight and that is Jay Rodriguez.

It’s incredible that he and Sam Vokes suffered the same injury just a couple of weeks apart. I really feel for them both because they were at the top of their game.

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But hopefully they will be playing in the same game next season. I know how hard Jay is working to get back to where he was.

Southampton have even installed the gym equipment he needs at his home to help with his rehab and prevent muscle wastage.

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Comments (15)

Bendtner sees himself as a very special person - an opinion offered widely in football and would seem to be the case when you watch the way he carries himself. He sees himself as a big-time guy. I'd be surprised if we would be a good fit for him. Dyche is anti-premadonna and pro-workethic, diligence and selfless focus. Bendtner fits that mould? Not on your life.

Bendtner sees himself as a very special person - an opinion offered widely in football and would seem to be the case when you watch the way he carries himself. He sees himself as a big-time guy. I'd be surprised if we would be a good fit for him. Dyche is anti-premadonna and pro-workethic, diligence and selfless focus. Bendtner fits that mould? Not on your life.RobH2O

Bendtner sees himself as a very special person - an opinion offered widely in football and would seem to be the case when you watch the way he carries himself. He sees himself as a big-time guy. I'd be surprised if we would be a good fit for him. Dyche is anti-premadonna and pro-workethic, diligence and selfless focus. Bendtner fits that mould? Not on your life.

Score: 21

AnotherPounding4Burnley says...1:43pm Wed 28 May 14

Bendtner would be a shoe in fit for us. With ten goals from him, ten from Ings and fifteen from vokes, we would surely have a chance of finishing outside the bottom three if we could keep a clean sheet in every game. That would be like winning the lottery I would also like us to buy Rodriguez back, after all everyone was on here saying how good he was and he is a Burnley fan too. 10 million should sort it out

Bendtner would be a shoe in fit for us. With ten goals from him, ten from Ings and fifteen from vokes, we would surely have a chance of finishing outside the bottom three if we could keep a clean sheet in every game. That would be like winning the lottery
I would also like us to buy Rodriguez back, after all everyone was on here saying how good he was and he is a Burnley fan too. 10 million should sort it outAnotherPounding4Burnley

Bendtner would be a shoe in fit for us. With ten goals from him, ten from Ings and fifteen from vokes, we would surely have a chance of finishing outside the bottom three if we could keep a clean sheet in every game. That would be like winning the lottery I would also like us to buy Rodriguez back, after all everyone was on here saying how good he was and he is a Burnley fan too. 10 million should sort it out

Score: -24

Itsnotmeyoubellend says...2:16pm Wed 28 May 14

Rumours are starting to surface on social media that Rudy Gestede could be heading to Burnley, seems he has a clause in his contract that allows him to talk to any Premier league clubs and Dyche is a big admirer.

Rumours are starting to surface on social media that Rudy Gestede could be heading to Burnley, seems he has a clause in his contract that allows him to talk to any Premier league clubs and Dyche is a big admirer.Itsnotmeyoubellend

Rumours are starting to surface on social media that Rudy Gestede could be heading to Burnley, seems he has a clause in his contract that allows him to talk to any Premier league clubs and Dyche is a big admirer.

Score: 12

Super_Clarets says...2:35pm Wed 28 May 14

Sounds far fetched but there does appears to be legs to the rumour that Burnley could be lining up a double swoop for Blackburn Rovers strike partnership Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede. With the need to bring in two strikers, cash at his disposal and the lure of Premier League football on offer, it appears Sean Dyche may be ready to take a closer look and certainly both players would jump at the chance of taking a step up in class to join the Clarets. This could be interesting for our twitchy friends down the road.

Sounds far fetched but there does appears to be legs to the rumour that Burnley could be lining up a double swoop for Blackburn Rovers strike partnership Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede.
With the need to bring in two strikers, cash at his disposal and the lure of Premier League football on offer, it appears Sean Dyche may be ready to take a closer look and certainly both players would jump at the chance of taking a step up in class to join the Clarets.
This could be interesting for our twitchy friends down the road.Super_Clarets

Sounds far fetched but there does appears to be legs to the rumour that Burnley could be lining up a double swoop for Blackburn Rovers strike partnership Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede. With the need to bring in two strikers, cash at his disposal and the lure of Premier League football on offer, it appears Sean Dyche may be ready to take a closer look and certainly both players would jump at the chance of taking a step up in class to join the Clarets. This could be interesting for our twitchy friends down the road.

Score: 24

TurfMoorTom says...3:12pm Wed 28 May 14

Super_Clarets wrote…

Sounds far fetched but there does appears to be legs to the rumour that Burnley could be lining up a double swoop for Blackburn Rovers strike partnership Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede. With the need to bring in two strikers, cash at his disposal and the lure of Premier League football on offer, it appears Sean Dyche may be ready to take a closer look and certainly both players would jump at the chance of taking a step up in class to join the Clarets. This could be interesting for our twitchy friends down the road.

Possibly, but first he needs to decide what to do with the seats in the dug out. Until then we'll have to wait and see.

[quote][p][bold]Super_Clarets[/bold] wrote:
Sounds far fetched but there does appears to be legs to the rumour that Burnley could be lining up a double swoop for Blackburn Rovers strike partnership Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede.
With the need to bring in two strikers, cash at his disposal and the lure of Premier League football on offer, it appears Sean Dyche may be ready to take a closer look and certainly both players would jump at the chance of taking a step up in class to join the Clarets.
This could be interesting for our twitchy friends down the road.[/p][/quote]Possibly, but first he needs to decide what to do with the seats in the dug out. Until then we'll have to wait and see.TurfMoorTom

Super_Clarets wrote…

Sounds far fetched but there does appears to be legs to the rumour that Burnley could be lining up a double swoop for Blackburn Rovers strike partnership Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede. With the need to bring in two strikers, cash at his disposal and the lure of Premier League football on offer, it appears Sean Dyche may be ready to take a closer look and certainly both players would jump at the chance of taking a step up in class to join the Clarets. This could be interesting for our twitchy friends down the road.

Possibly, but first he needs to decide what to do with the seats in the dug out. Until then we'll have to wait and see.

Score: -15

AnotherPounding4Burnley says...4:31pm Wed 28 May 14

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.AnotherPounding4Burnley

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.

Score: -24

TurfMoorTom's_Psychiatrist says...4:41pm Wed 28 May 14

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.

All those "too dear for us" players at Rovers eh? What position of excellence have these superstars delivered? Oh yes, championship nowhere. And Rhodes and Gestede will be dearer than Premiership international striker Rodrigues. Are you plugged into the mains or are you battery operated? Either way you must vibrate like hell!

[quote][p][bold]AnotherPounding4Burn
ley[/bold] wrote:
All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.[/p][/quote]All those "too dear for us" players at Rovers eh? What position of excellence have these superstars delivered? Oh yes, championship nowhere. And Rhodes and Gestede will be dearer than Premiership international striker Rodrigues. Are you plugged into the mains or are you battery operated? Either way you must vibrate like hell!TurfMoorTom's_Psychiatrist

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.

All those "too dear for us" players at Rovers eh? What position of excellence have these superstars delivered? Oh yes, championship nowhere. And Rhodes and Gestede will be dearer than Premiership international striker Rodrigues. Are you plugged into the mains or are you battery operated? Either way you must vibrate like hell!

Score: 14

stevieclaret says...6:09pm Wed 28 May 14

TurfMoorTom's_Psychi atrist wrote…

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.

All those "too dear for us" players at Rovers eh? What position of excellence have these superstars delivered? Oh yes, championship nowhere. And Rhodes and Gestede will be dearer than Premiership international striker Rodrigues. Are you plugged into the mains or are you battery operated? Either way you must vibrate like hell!

Brilliant zz zz zz. My lights are flickering!!!

[quote][p][bold]TurfMoorTom's_Psychi
atrist[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]AnotherPounding4Burn
ley[/bold] wrote:
All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.[/p][/quote]All those "too dear for us" players at Rovers eh? What position of excellence have these superstars delivered? Oh yes, championship nowhere. And Rhodes and Gestede will be dearer than Premiership international striker Rodrigues. Are you plugged into the mains or are you battery operated? Either way you must vibrate like hell![/p][/quote]Brilliant zz zz zz. My lights are flickering!!!stevieclaret

TurfMoorTom's_Psychi atrist wrote…

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

All these rumours about Rovers players is just a none starter. Rhodes would cost too much and gestede would cost more than that. Better off taking the cheaper option of Bendtner and Rodriguez. Maybe we could put a bid in for Van Persie, he wants out.

All those "too dear for us" players at Rovers eh? What position of excellence have these superstars delivered? Oh yes, championship nowhere. And Rhodes and Gestede will be dearer than Premiership international striker Rodrigues. Are you plugged into the mains or are you battery operated? Either way you must vibrate like hell!

Brilliant zz zz zz. My lights are flickering!!!

Score: 5

AnotherPounding4Burnley says...6:53pm Wed 28 May 14

Strange behavior from the turf faithful, spend all season saying rhodes and gastede are rubbish, then want to sign them for the new campaign. Then you call somebody for pointing out their obvious stupidity. Get yer cash out and put a bid in for Rodriguez and Pilkington

Strange behavior from the turf faithful, spend all season saying rhodes and gastede are rubbish, then want to sign them for the new campaign. Then you call somebody for pointing out their obvious stupidity.
Get yer cash out and put a bid in for Rodriguez and PilkingtonAnotherPounding4Burnley

Strange behavior from the turf faithful, spend all season saying rhodes and gastede are rubbish, then want to sign them for the new campaign. Then you call somebody for pointing out their obvious stupidity. Get yer cash out and put a bid in for Rodriguez and Pilkington

Score: -21

RobH2O says...8:16pm Wed 28 May 14

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

Strange behavior from the turf faithful, spend all season saying rhodes and gastede are rubbish, then want to sign them for the new campaign. Then you call somebody for pointing out their obvious stupidity. Get yer cash out and put a bid in for Rodriguez and Pilkington

No AP4B, normal behaviour from the Turf Moor faithful. Strange behaviour from you, when measured against the rest of humanity. And a Burnley fan would write "lets get our cash out" not "yer cash. Its these little ditties that give you away. How do you cope with vibrating constantly?

[quote][p][bold]AnotherPounding4Burn
ley[/bold] wrote:
Strange behavior from the turf faithful, spend all season saying rhodes and gastede are rubbish, then want to sign them for the new campaign. Then you call somebody for pointing out their obvious stupidity.
Get yer cash out and put a bid in for Rodriguez and Pilkington[/p][/quote]No AP4B, normal behaviour from the Turf Moor faithful. Strange behaviour from you, when measured against the rest of humanity. And a Burnley fan would write "lets get our cash out" not "yer cash.
Its these little ditties that give you away. How do you cope with vibrating constantly?RobH2O

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

Strange behavior from the turf faithful, spend all season saying rhodes and gastede are rubbish, then want to sign them for the new campaign. Then you call somebody for pointing out their obvious stupidity. Get yer cash out and put a bid in for Rodriguez and Pilkington

No AP4B, normal behaviour from the Turf Moor faithful. Strange behaviour from you, when measured against the rest of humanity. And a Burnley fan would write "lets get our cash out" not "yer cash. Its these little ditties that give you away. How do you cope with vibrating constantly?

Score: 9

Super_Clarets says...9:29pm Wed 28 May 14

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.Super_Clarets

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.

Score: 8

slants says...2:49pm Thu 29 May 14

think he could transform him into a force to be reckoned with, why and how irvine you moron you really do talk cr@p/

think he could transform him into a force to be reckoned with, why and how irvine you moron you really do talk cr@p/slants

think he could transform him into a force to be reckoned with, why and how irvine you moron you really do talk cr@p/

Score: 0

Old age pensioner says...3:52pm Thu 29 May 14

Super_Clarets wrote…

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.

Your looking for two forwards remember!! Has Ings signed yet. ZzzzzzzzzNzzzzzzHzzz zzzNzzzzzzHzzzz

[quote][p][bold]Super_Clarets[/bold] wrote:
Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.[/p][/quote]Your looking for two forwards remember!!
Has Ings signed yet.
ZzzzzzzzzNzzzzzzHzzz
zzzNzzzzzzHzzzzOld age pensioner

Super_Clarets wrote…

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.

Your looking for two forwards remember!! Has Ings signed yet. ZzzzzzzzzNzzzzzzHzzz zzzNzzzzzzHzzzz

Score: 0

Chris P Bacon says...4:28pm Thu 29 May 14

Old age pensioner wrote…

Super_Clarets wrote…

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.

Your looking for two forwards remember!! Has Ings signed yet. ZzzzzzzzzNzzzzzzHzzz zzzNzzzzzzHzzzz

Do you know any other questions? Here's one for you. Have you had your prostate checked lately? You are of an age that needs looking at frequently or the consequences are too horrible to contemplate. You need to go down to the clinic lickety-split and get your rectum fingered. Report back when you've had this done.

[quote][p][bold]Old age pensioner[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Super_Clarets[/bold] wrote:
Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.[/p][/quote]Your looking for two forwards remember!!
Has Ings signed yet.
ZzzzzzzzzNzzzzzzHzzz
zzzNzzzzzzHzzzz[/p][/quote]Do you know any other questions?
Here's one for you.
Have you had your prostate checked lately? You are of an age that needs looking at frequently or the consequences are too horrible to contemplate. You need to go down to the clinic lickety-split and get your rectum fingered.
Report back when you've had this done.Chris P Bacon

Old age pensioner wrote…

Super_Clarets wrote…

Panic is spreading in the no-dad camp as rumours of their players heads being turned by the Premier League Clarets search for two new strikers gather momentum... I've heard that Jordan Rhodes said he'd walk to Turf Moor on his hands if it meant he could play for Sean Dyche.

Your looking for two forwards remember!! Has Ings signed yet. ZzzzzzzzzNzzzzzzHzzz zzzNzzzzzzHzzzz

Do you know any other questions? Here's one for you. Have you had your prostate checked lately? You are of an age that needs looking at frequently or the consequences are too horrible to contemplate. You need to go down to the clinic lickety-split and get your rectum fingered. Report back when you've had this done.

Score: 1

sutherlandclarets says...7:12pm Sun 1 Jun 14

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

Bendtner would be a shoe in fit for us. With ten goals from him, ten from Ings and fifteen from vokes, we would surely have a chance of finishing outside the bottom three if we could keep a clean sheet in every game. That would be like winning the lottery I would also like us to buy Rodriguez back, after all everyone was on here saying how good he was and he is a Burnley fan too. 10 million should sort it out

so you expect Big Sam Vokes to score 15 goals when he gets back from injury in the new year especially if the other two strikers have scored 20 between them. Dream on

[quote][p][bold]AnotherPounding4Burn
ley[/bold] wrote:
Bendtner would be a shoe in fit for us. With ten goals from him, ten from Ings and fifteen from vokes, we would surely have a chance of finishing outside the bottom three if we could keep a clean sheet in every game. That would be like winning the lottery
I would also like us to buy Rodriguez back, after all everyone was on here saying how good he was and he is a Burnley fan too. 10 million should sort it out[/p][/quote]so you expect Big Sam Vokes to score 15 goals when he gets back from injury in the new year especially if the other two strikers have scored 20 between them. Dream onsutherlandclarets

AnotherPounding4Burn ley wrote…

Bendtner would be a shoe in fit for us. With ten goals from him, ten from Ings and fifteen from vokes, we would surely have a chance of finishing outside the bottom three if we could keep a clean sheet in every game. That would be like winning the lottery I would also like us to buy Rodriguez back, after all everyone was on here saying how good he was and he is a Burnley fan too. 10 million should sort it out

so you expect Big Sam Vokes to score 15 goals when he gets back from injury in the new year especially if the other two strikers have scored 20 between them. Dream on

Ipsoregulated

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